The lightweight bout was part of the main card of today’s UFC Fight Night 106 event at Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. It aired on FS1 following additional prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

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The fight came to a violent end at the 3:35 mark of the second frame when Dariush crumpled with the force of the blow. It was Barboza’s third straight win and another bonus-worthy finish after going to the scorecards in five of his six previous UFC bouts.

Wary of falling prey to Barboza’s kicks, which five years ago produced one of the promotion’s most awe-inspiring knockouts, Dariush came forward from the opening bell. Barboza met the advance with punches, and both men scored. But Dariush turned the tables on Barboza’s supposed advantage, landing more with his legs. And he came out ahead in punches with an overhand left that consistently scored.

Barboza tried harder to stop Dariush with a body kick and counter-punches as the second frame got underway. When a takedown attempt came, he wriggled free. Still, he kept getting caught by Dariush’s left. Then Dariush closed the distance without protecting himself, and Barboza turned out the lights.

“I’m very happy,” Barboza said. “I love what I do. During this week, I said that until today the most incredible moment of my career had been the knockout of (Terry) Etim and that I would like to do something similar in Fortaleza. I think I got it. I fight the best in the world, and sometimes the knockout does not come, but this time it came and I think it will put me close to the belt. I want to fight (Tony) Ferguson. I want a rematch. The last fight with him I took on short notice, and if the UFC gave me that opportunity, it would be five rounds of war. I want this so much.”

The knockout loss is Dariush’s second in the UFC after a first-round stoppage three years ago at UFC Fight Night 39. He now goes back to the drawing board after a pair of wins over James Vick and Rashid Magomedov, respectively.